Anemia is a condition where there is a significant reduction in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. This results in a decrease in the amount of oxygen that the blood is able to carry and thus the amount of oxygen that's available for the cells of the body.

Notes

Make sure you are taking supplements for overall good health. If you are not taking these basic supplements, we recommend Enfuz from Vitabase. When you take a small packet of pills each day, you get all the basic nutrition you need. Each packet contains a multi-vitamin, CoQ10 (for heart health), Omega 3, Vitamin D-3, a probiotic, and a powerful set of antioxidants to help your body fight off disease.

A cancer drug that can be prescribed for people with sickle cell anemia is called Hydroxyurea (Droxia). The patient must be over the age of eighteen and have undergone three or more crises in a one-year time frame. This drug is not a cure, but is does ease the symptoms.

Excluding sugar from the diet boosts iron absorption. Fish and vegetables, high in iron content, eaten at the same meal boost iron absorption as well.

Iron-deficiency anemia most likely will disappear when the underlying cause is corrected.

It has been recommended that children under the age of one year old not drink cow's milk. This recommendation came from The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). It has been found that milk may cause anemia by prohibit iron absorption and might even cause internal bleeding. The AAP published the results of the University of Iowa research that discovered the blood content in the stool of infants that were fed cow's milk were five times higher than the ones that were given infant formula. This led to the conclusion that the amount of iron lost was "nutritionally substantial".

Most of the time vitamin B12 deficiency can be identified by measuring serum B12 levels, doing a complete blood cell count, and a blood test called the Schilling test, that evaluates B12 retention. Those with pernicious anemia should take vitamin B12 sublingually (under the tongue), by retention enema, or by injection. Of course this treatment will be maintained for life, unless the underlying cause can be corrected.

Advice

Be sure to consume foods that are rich in Vitamin C. Also be sure to have wholes grains, turnips, egg yolks, kelp, greens, bananas, apples, apricots, rice bran, and squash.

Be sure you have an iron deficiency before taking iron supplements.

Do not drink tea, coffee, sodas, or beer. Do not eat candy bars or dairy products.

Taking calcium, vitamin E, zinc, or antacids with an iron supplement the iron will not absorb.

Helpful nutrients for this condition.

Raw liver extractImportance: Very HighComments: Helps with the production of red blood cells. Liver from organically raised beef is recommended. Injections under supervision of a physician are also available.

Vitamin B15Importance: HighComments: Helps produce red blood cells. Aids in dissolving and making protein useful to cells. Best to get injections under a physician's supervision. Sublingual and lozenge forms are also good.

Vitamin B12Importance: HighComments: Helps produce red blood cells. Aids in dissolving and making protein useful to cells. Best to get injections under a physician's supervision. Sublingual and lozenge forms are also good.

BilberryType: InternalPurposes: Anthocyanidin (a flavonoid) is the primary compound in bilberry fruit, building strong capillaries and improves circulation throughout the entire body. Bilberry has been associated with the care and treatment of a number of ailments which includes anemia.

Cherry ExtractType: InternalPurposes: Cherry Extract provides a natural source of flavonoids that act as antioxidants. This provides protection to many systems in the body which includes arteries and capillaries improving circulation of the blood throughout the entire body.

GoldensealType: InternalPurposes: Goldenseal is a good treatment for iron deficiency anemia due to its high iron and vitamin C content.Cautions: If you are a pregnant or lactating women do not take this herb. Consult with a physician if you have any of the following conditions: history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or glaucoma. Goldenseal is to be taken for only 1 week at a time.

Grape Skins and Oregon Grape RootType: InternalPurposes: Grape seed extract provides a natural source of flavonoids; phytochemicals that have antioxidant properties. Provides protection to many systems in the body, including arteries and capillaries improving circulation of the blood throughout the entire body.Cautions: If you are a pregnant or lactating women do not take the Oregon Grape Root.

HawthornType: InternalPurposes: Improves cardiovascular function, and increases the supply of blood to the heart muscle, resulting in enhanced circulation throughout the body. Bioflavonoids in Hawthorn are potent antioxidants.

Yellow DockType: InternalPurposes: Was used in folk medicine to check bleeding of the lungs and bowels. Yellow dock contains more iron than any other plant. Also contains Vitamin A and C, and calcium. The iron in the root provides a good remedy for anemia.